Spinning toy

ABSTRACT

A toy which includes a container member which is provided with a suction cup device therebelow for mounting the same upon a surface with the upper end of the container being provided with a plurality of oppositely directed notches. A spinner member is mounted in the bowl and an actuating rod member is provided which when passed across the notches will cause rotation of the spinner. In the first form of the invention the spinner is provided with magnets and the actuating rod is provided with magnets on either end thereof such that as the actuating rod is moved around the rim of the bowl the spinner will rotate due to magnetic attraction. Additional rotational actuating members are provided on the sides of the bowl and rotation of the spinner is accomplished by moving the actuating rod against these elements.

Tolletson SPINNING TOY [76] Inventor: James T. Tollefson, 2900 Dicken Ln., Mound, Minn. 55364 [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.1 398,013

Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerRobert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James R. Cwayna [451 Dec. 24, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A toy which includes a container member which is provided with a suction cup device therebelow for mounting the same upon a surface with the upper end of the container being provided with a plurality of oppositely directed notches. A spinner member is mounted in the bowl and an actuating rod member is provided which when passed across the notches will cause rotation of the spinner. In the first form of the invention the spinner is provided with magnets and the actuating rod is provided with magnets on either end thereof such that as the actuating rod is moved around the rim of the bowl the spinner will rotate due to magnetic attraction. Additional rotational actuating members are provided on the sides of the bowl and rotation of the spinner is accomplished by moving the actuating rod against these elements.

v7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED 41914 smear;

FIG. 3

-FIG.4

SPINNING TOY Applicant provides herein a toy, particularly for use for children for self entertainment or which may be converted into various game structures for use by several persons, which basically includes a device for creating motion of a spinnable element. A container such as a bowl is uniquely designed such that rotation of a spinning element is obtained simply by passing a rod over the edges of the bowl. This particular unit is particularly attractive to younger children in that they can cause motion of one object without contacting the same by a second object but rather by using the second object as an activating device.

It is therefore an object of applicants invention to provide a toy structure or the like which provides means for imparting rotation to a spinning element without directly contacting the element.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a rotational toy device wherein a spinnable portion thereof is provided with a plurality of magnets and an actuating rod is provided with magnets of opposed polarity on either end thereof such that rotation of the spinnable element may be accomplished in either direction by moving the rod relative thereto.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a spinning toy which includes a spinnable element mounted in a retaining bowl which bowl area is provided with a plurality of notch sections thereon and an actuating rod member is utilized for movement across the notches to impart rotation to the spinnable element.

It is still a further object of applicants invention to provide a toy device which includes a bowl member having a spinnable element arranged therein and having means for attaching the bowl to a surface.

It is still a further object of applicants invention to provide a toy structure having a liquid containing unit having upstanding sides and having a spinnable element mounted therein which spinnable element may be provided with a plurality of liquid contacting means such that as the same is rotated it will impart motion to the liquid contained therein.

These and other objects and advantages of applicants invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy embodying the concepts of applicants invention and illustrating the actuating rod therefore;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the toy as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view taken substantially along Line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the actuating rod utilized in applicants concept having portions thereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along Line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken of a modified form of applicants invention; and,

FIG. 7 is a partial vertical section taken substantially along Line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

In accordance with the accompanying drawings, applicants first form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. l and is generally designated 10. In the form shown a generally bowl shaped container 11 is provided having a bottom 1 1a and upwardly extending, continuously arranged, circular sides llb. The upper portion or upper edge of this bowl 11 is provided with a plurality of notches 12, 13 formed therein which notches l2, 13 are generally V-shaped indentations in the upper edge 11c and it should be noted that the indentations are formed in oppositely directed relationship to one another at selected areas about the upper edge 1 1c of the container 1 1. This particular configuration is important as will be explained hereinafter.

Also arranged adjacent the upper edge 110 of the bowl 11 are opposed pairs of actuating elements designated respectively 14, 15 and each of these pairs includes what may be termed a left hand 16 and a right hand 17 unit. These elements 16, 17 each include a generally flat mounting section 16a, 17a with means for fastening the same to the side of the bowl 1 lb. Extending outwardly from such fastening portions 16a, 17a is an arcuately formed section 16b, 17b which is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending notches 16c, 17c thereon. These elements then define a pair of arcuate segments having notches about the periphery thereof. As illustrated, pairs of these units are arranged in diametrically opposed relation but this relation is only to provide a conforming look or appearance to the unit and only one set of such members are normally required for operation of the device.

As illustrated, the bowl 11 is provided with an upwardly extending recess 11d in the lower surface 11a thereof such that a mounting plug 20 may be received therein and seated against this inwardly directed area 11d. Arranged in downwardly disposed relation from this plug 20 is a suction cup device 21 or the like which is provided with a radially extending gripping tab 21a to permit the same to be easily lifted off of the surface to which the unit is attached. This vacuum cup is commonly known in the art and its obvious use is to provide a suction device for mounting the bowl to a surface. The suction cup device 21, the spacer member 20 and the bowl 11 are attached through a threaded rod 22 having one end thereof 23 arranged below and within the confines of the suction cup area and extending upwardly through the spacer 20 and the bottom of the container 11 and upwardly therein to terminate approximately adjacent the upper edge llc of the bowl container 11. Obviously a keeper element such as nut 24 must be provided below the suction cup device 21 and a washer 25 is provided therein to aid in such retention. Upwardly and into the bowl, an additional washer 26 and attachment member such as a nut 27 is provided on the threaded rod 22 such that a firm connection may be maintained through the suction member 21, the spacer 20 and the bolt 11. As illustrated in the bottom plan view of FIG. 3 the passage through the suction cup device is arranged eccentrically with respect to the connecting rod 22 and this off set location of the suction cup with respect to the bowl 21 is found by applicant to be particularly important in operation of the unit.

As stated, the threaded rod 22 extends upwardly to terminate at the approximate height of the upper edge 110 of the bowl and a spinner device generally designated 30 is provided at the upper end thereof. This spinner device is positioned on rod 22 through the utilization of a first nut or adjustment member 31 which may be shifted vertically along the threaded rod 22 to carry a bearing member 32 thereon which bearing member has a passage therethrough to permit the same to be rotated about the threaded rod 22. A keeper or retainer element 33 is mounted above the bearing member 32 to retain the same upon the threaded rod 22.

The spinner member in the form shown includes a first spoked wheel construction having a rim 34 which rim is circumferentially arranged about the bearing and supported thereon by spokes. As illustrated in the drawings, a plurality of radially extending magnet devices 35, 36, 37, 38 are provided and these include magnet retaining devices wherein magnetic members 35a, 36a, 37a, 38a are arranged therein with the polarity of the radially extending ends of these magnets being identical. Also as illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of veins or paddles designated 40 are arranged in outward relation to rim 34 and as the spinner 30 is rotated, should the bowl be filled with a liquid, the paddles 40 will provide motion to the liquid and will ultimately cause rotational flow of the same around the bowl 11.

To this point then the structure of the unit includes a spinnable member mounted upon a shaft in a bowl with means for positioning and holding the bowl upon a surface.

In order to provide actuation for the spinner, applicant provides a first form of a control device designated and illustrated in FIG. 4. This device includes a simple hollow rod member having a pair of magnets 45a, 45b, the extending ends thereof being of opposite polarity.

The use and operation of the toy to this point utilizing the magnet rod 45 is simply to ride the rod about the edge of the bowl and by proper manipulation thereof the spinner 30 will move in a given direction. Obviously the opposite polarities of the magnets 45a, 45b will result in opposite movements of the spinner 30 and also the object of the device is to provide an arrangement in which the movement of the spinner is obtained at its greater possible speed. Obviously opposing magnets attract and by propre manipulation of the rod 45 rotational speed can be induced with proper movement of the rod 45 and similarly since like magnets oppose, opposite rotation can also be obtained by using the opposite end of the rod 45.

To this point it has not been necessary to illustrate the utilization of the either the notched portions 12, 13 or the segmented portions 14, 15 on the side of the bowl. This is best illustrated in a discussion of FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the same numerals or identification numbers 12, 13 have been utilized for the slots or notches, the bowl again has been designated 1 l and the section or attachment device 21 and again the arcuate pair members designated 14, 15 with the individual elements thereon designated as l6, 17. In this particular form the threaded spinner rod 22 is again provided and the elevation nut or adjustment element 31 is provided to maintain a bearing member in position at a proper elevation within the bowl 11. In this instance however the bearing member 50 is of a radially extending flange construction with downwardly extending radial flanges thereon designated 51a with outwardly extending mounting pegs 52 secured to the mounting flange 5 la. In the form shown, a plurality of spherical members 53 are provided on pegs 52 and these members 53 are provided with a plurality of apertures therethrough. Obviously these members may be hollow and the apertures will then simply pass into the inner area thereof.

This second form of the invention is simply to illustrate the concept that rotation of devices within the bowl may take place without the magnetic attraction being employed therewith and further althrough spherical articles are illustrated the particular shape of these articles is immaterial to the utilization of the device.

In order to obtain actuation or rotational movement of this second form of this invention or the first form of the invention wherein magnets are not utilized in the notches and arcuate sections of the unit are employed for providing the rotation. In order to obtain rotation of the spinner elements it is necessary to slide the rod 45 against either the notches l2, 13 or the arcuate sectors 14, 15. In FIG. 1, as the rod 45 is moved in one direction across the set of notches 13 it will produce rotation of the spinner in an opposite direction. If the rod is slid upon the opposite set of notches 12 the spinner will rotate in the opposite direction. While providing this movement across the notches 12, 13 an entertaining noise will result.

A further rotational effect may be utilized by moving rod 45 in contact with the arcuate sections either 16 or 17. Movement of the rod around these arcuate sections will result in rotation for the spinner. This is true whether either of the arcuate sections are contacted.

The use of the toy is obviously a simple self entertainment device for children in that rotation of a device without actually touching the same may be accomplished and further that a certain noise is provided. This is true whether either the notches or the arcuate sections are contacted with the control or actuating rod.

Although applicants device is strictly illustrated as a toy it should be obvious that various game considerations may be formulated with its useage and in any event the concept of utilizing these notches on a containing rim surrounding desired for entertainment.

What I claim is:

l. A spinning toy or the like, including:

a. a bowl shaped container having a generally circular upper edge;

b. means for mounting said container;

0. a spinner member mounted for rotation within said container below said upper edge thereof and generally planar with said edge;

d. at least one set of notches arranged on said upper edge of said container; ancl,

e. an actuating rod movable across said notches to impart rotative motion to said spinner.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 and said notches including V-shaped sections.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 and said notches including two sets of V-shaped sections, the sets being oppositely directed about the upper edge of said container.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1 and said notches including an arcuately formed member being arranged on the exterior of said container and having grooves extending longitudinally thereon.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 and said arcuate member providing an arcuate segment, and at least a pair of said members being arranged on said container.

6. The structure set forth in claim 1 and said mounting means including suction cup means arranged below said container.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6 said suction cup being eccentrically mounted to said container. 

1. A spinning toy or the like, including: a. a bowl shaped container having a generally circular upper edge; b. means for mounting said container; c. a spinner member mounted for rotation within said container below said upper edge thereof and generally planar with said edge; d. at least one set of notches arranged on said upper edge of said container; and, e. an actuating rod movable across said notches to impart rotative motion to said spinner.
 2. The structure set forth in claim 1 and said notches including V-shaped sections.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 2 and said notches including two sets of V-shaped sections, the sets being oppositely directed about the upper edge of said container.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 1 and said notches including an arcuately formed member being arranged on the exterior of said container and having grooves extending longitudinally thereon.
 5. The structure set forth in claim 4 and said arcuate member providing an arcuate segment, and at least a pair of said members being arranged on said container.
 6. The structure set forth in claim 1 and said mounting means including suction cup means arranged below said container.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 6 said suction cup being eccentrically mounted to said container. 